CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR — Despite Alas Pilipinas Men settling for fourth place in the first leg of the 2025 SEA V.League, National University standout Leo Ordiales emerged as a bright spot.
At the conclusion of the five-day tournament held at the Candon City Arena here — where the Philippines finished behind silver medalist Indonesia and three-peat champion Thailand — Ordiales was recognized for his breakout performance.
A second-year national team member and fresh off leading the NU Bulldogs to a five-peat in UAAP Season 87, Ordiales rose to the challenge in the absence of team captain and star spiker Marck Espejo.
Espejo missed the leg due to an ankle injury sustained during Alas Men’s 10th-place finish in the 2025 AVC Men’s Nations Cup.
“Sobrang saya kasi first time ko magka-award sa international. Siguro, dagdag din ng boost ng confidence para [magkaroon] ng rason na pagigihan pa lalo,” Ordiales told reporters on Sunday evening.
“Siguro, ano lang, patuloy lang sa pag-iimprove kasi alam ko babalik naman sila pero kung sakali man na hindi, ready naman ako para mag-perform at para tulungan yung mga teammates ko, tulungan yung Pilipinas,” he added.
The 22-year-old opposite hitter finished as the fourth-best scorer in the tournament with a total of 64 points built on 60 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Ordiales’ best outing came in the Philippines’ five-set quest of Cambodia, tallying 22 points built on 20 attacks, one block, and one ace.
Thailand’s Amorntep Konhan emerged as the Most Valuable Player in the first leg of the annual regional tournament.
Nguyen Ngoc Thuan of Vietnam and Boy Arabi of Indonesia were recognized as the tournament’s Best Outside Spikers.
Thailand’s Nilsawai Kissada and Tran Duy Tuyen comprised the tilt’s Best Middle Blockers.
Rounding out the Dream Team are Best Setter Jasen Kilanta of Indonesia and Best Libero Tanapat Charoensuk of Thailand.
The second leg of the tournament will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 16 to 20.
